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Barney
![]() We thought Barney was just getting old and his health was starting a natural decline. We assumed his decreased mobility was due to arthritis, but since so many things were changing with Barney, we decided it was best to take him in to the vet for a check-up. He was diagnosed with diabetes in March, 1997. Barney was put on a prescription diet (Hills w/d) and started getting insulin injections. He tolerated the injections very well, but the change in diet was another story. Barney hated the dry w/d and refused to eat it. We decided the Hills Science Diet feline light he was use to eating was a fairly healthy alternative, so we continued with that food for a while. After Barney was feeling better, we gradually started replacing some of his light dry food with the w/d dry food. This took several weeks, but we got him switched over to eating all w/d. During the first ![]() It has sometimes been difficult to keep Barney's diabetes under control. At first, we were using urine glucose test strips to monitor Barney's diabetes. But these tests didn't provide us with the information we needed to control his diabetes. Also, Barney becomes highly stressed when the vet tries to obtain a blood sample and the stress results in elevated bgs, so the numbers the vet gets are not representative of Barney's normal daily blood glucose. So we started home blood glucose monitoring. Barney's vet agrees that home blood glucose testing is the best method for monitoring Barney's diabetes. We perform the tests at home and call the vet to tell him the numbers and get advice. In ![]() We use a lot of daily observation to help determine if Barney is healthy. We keep an eye on the size of the urine clumps in his litter box, watch to see if his drinking increases, watch for weight loss, or any other signs that his diabetes is uncontrolled. We watch his behavior too. If he seems too sleepy, has no energy, or just seems to be "out of sorts" we do some blood glucose testing to determine if his insulin dose needs to be adjusted. For the past several years, Barney's diabetes has been managed using two shots of insulin each day, one in the morning and one in the evening. His diet is mostly Hills w/d kibble and canned. We have him on a semi-controlled feeding plan where he gets his canned food along with his insulin injection and is allowed to free-feed on kibble at other times. He also gets other high quality canned food to encourage him to eat at the appropriate times. Barney is also on tapezole, a medication for an overactive thyroid. His thyroid medication is hidden in a small piece of cheese which he gets after his insulin. Barney looks forward to getting his insulin shot because he knows it is followed by some yummy cheese. Our management style of observation, a semi-controlled diet, twice daily insulin injections, occasional home blood glucose testing, and necessary trips to the vet have worked well for us to control Barney's diabetes. In June 2000 ![]() March 2001 -- we made it to four years as a diabetic!!! This anniversary is bitter-sweet for us because the liver cancer has progressed and Barney's health has declined. His appetite comes and goes and he has bouts of vomiting. He receives very small doses of insulin now - just to keep his bg from going extremely high. He still enjoys laying in the sun, being petted, and purrrrring. We're keeping him comfortable and letting his attitude and behavior guide our decisions. March 23, 2001. After a few alternating good and not-so-good weeks, Barney is ready to leave us. He is not comfortable and doesn't want to do any of the things that give him pleasure - like going outside to lay in the sun. His wonderful vet who has cared for him for the past 4 years came to the house to put him to sleep where Barney could be relaxed and calm. When we learned Barney was diabetic, we began to form an even stronger bond with him. We learned we could no longer take his presence for granted and it taught us to appreciate each and every day that we share with each of our pets. Barney had a fantastic life - 17 years of generally good health, a family, and love. We'll remember him for the wonderful kitty he was. Please remember your pets - those who have passed away, and those that are still here - for the wonderful souls they are and the happiness you share with them. I hope our experiences with Barney show that a pet who has diabetes can live a healthy, happy life. For four years we managed to keep the diabetes pretty well controlled. At age 17, it wasn't diabetes that was the problem, but an aggressive and untreatable liver cancer. Until the end, Barney was active, strong, playful, happy, and a joy to be with. Successful diabetes management requires commitment, hard work, education, and a partnership with a great vet. But it can be done. Barney is proof.
Updated March 2001 |